Saba Nikanfar
Brussels
Summary
Postdoctoral Fellow awarded a two-year FSR grant to advance expertise in reproductive biology and tissue engineering. Experienced in conducting and disseminating complex research, with a proven track record of success and publications in the field. Brings hands-on experience from academic projects and demonstrates strong skills in teamwork, problem-solving, and time management. Highly motivated to contribute meaningfully to scientific research and innovation.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
Work History
Postdoctoral Fellow
Pôle de Recherche en Physiopathologie de la Reproduction, Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique, Université Catholique de Louvain
04.2023 - Current
- Designing and writing grant proposals and progress reports; awarded a two-year FSR grant and contributed to an ARC-funded project.
- Experienced in working with 3D cell models, including organoids and spheroids.
- Design and conduct experiments in line with the lab’s research goals.
- Analyze and interpret data using appropriate scientific and statistical methods.
- Prepare manuscripts, abstracts, and reports for publication in peer-reviewed journals with more than 25 papers.
- Present research at conferences, seminars, or meetings.
- Collaborate with other researchers, clinicians, or departments on interdisciplinary projects.
- Mentor and supervise graduate or postgraduate students and lab technicians.
- Handle laboratory equipment, ordering of supplies, and sometimes budget management.
- Stay up to date with literature and advancements in the field.
- Engage in training opportunities, workshops, or certifications.
- Prepare for transition to independent academic, clinical, or industry positions.
Member of OvaREN Team
OvaREN (Ovarian Research Early career Network)
02.2025 - 02.2025
- Coordinate with all stakeholders (speakers, sponsors, attendees, venue, etc.).
- Book and prepare the venue (physical or virtual).
- Invite and confirm speakers and sponsors.
- Arrange sessions, workshops, and breakout groups.
- Prepare more than 150 presentation materials and handouts.
- On-site assistance and managed help desks.
Research Assistant
Tabriz University of Medical Sciences
09.2018 - 09.2020
- Company Overview: https://en.tbzmed.ac.ir/
- Trained and supervised MD and undergraduate students for clinical Biochemistry course.
- Prepared samples for analysis by performing complex sample preparation tasks.
- Analyzed results using analytical software and created reports.
- Interpreted laboratory results to provide technical advice to scientists.
- Troubleshot and resolved equipment and process issues.
- Collaborated with researchers and scientists to design and execute experiments.
- Participated in research projects by designing and executing experiments.
- Participated in lab meetings and project presentations.
Medical Lab Technician
Tabriz University of Medical Sciences
06.2016 - 12.2016
- Prepared, processed, labeled and stored patient specimens and samples using standard techniques and equipment.
- Perform routine and specialized tests on samples using automated equipment or manual techniques (e.g., hematology, microbiology, biochemistry).
- Analyze test results for accuracy and validity.
- Record and enter findings into medical records or lab systems.
- Calibrate and maintain lab equipment.
- Work closely with pathologists, physicians, and other healthcare staff to discuss test results and support diagnosis and treatment.
- Followed safety protocols to maintain safe and secure laboratory environment.
Education
Ph.D. - Clinical Biochemistry
Tabriz University of Medical Sciences
Tabriz10.2021
Master of Science - Clinical Biochemistry
Urmia University of Medical Sciences
09.2014
B.Sc. - Biology
University of Tabriz
02.2010
Skills
- Lab experimentation
- Cell culture
- Ovarian follicle and cell isolation
- Histology methods
- Immunostainings
- Imaging techniques
- Confocal microscopy
- Scanning electron microscopy (SEM)
- Transmission electron microscopy (TEM)
- RNA/DNA extraction
- Real-time RT-PCR
- Primer Design
- Western Blotting
- CRISPR
- Gel electrophoresis
- SDS-PAGE
- ELISA
- Spectrophotometric assays
- Computational skills
- Bioinformatic databases (BLAST, Clustal Omega, Uniprot, GenBank, Ensembl, KEGG, Protein Data Bank, EMBL-EBI, Primer3)
- Verbal and writing communication
Academic Services
- Reviewer, Human Reproduction Update, 14.8
- Reviewer, Frontiers in Endocrinology, 3.9
- Reviewer, Ovarian Research, 3.8
- Reviewer, Scientific Reports, 3.8
- Reviewer, Reproductive Biomedicine Online, 3.7
- Reviewer, Journal of Biomechanics, 2.4
- Reviewer, Human Fertility, 2.1
- Reviewer, Cell Biochemistry and Biophysics, 1.8
- Reviewer, Cell Journal (Yakhteh), 1.7
Conference Presentations
- Effects of phthalates on the 3D spheroid cell culture as a model for the human ovarian extracellular matrix, 1st European Ovary workshop, 02/17/25, Logos, Portugal
- Lecture on 'Postgraduate Education in Brazil and Worldwide: Differences and Similarities', International Symposium on Biological Sciences, 06/05/24 to 06/07/24
- Effects of phthalates on the 3D spheroid cell culture as a model for the human ovarian extracellular matrix, ESHRE 40th Annual Meeting, 07/07/24 to 07/10/24, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Effect of dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids on the status of uterine prostaglandins during the window of pre-implantation, 9th Yazd congress and student award on reproductive medicine, 2021, Yazd, Iran
- Status of vitamin D deficiency among men and veiled women in northwestern Iran, The 15th Iranian National Congress of Biochemistry & 6th International Congress of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 2018, Isfahan, Iran
- Combination of imatinib and celecoxib, synergistically inhibits cell proliferation in colon cancer cells, 5th International Congress on Cell Membranes and Oxidative Stress: Focus on Calcium Signaling and TRP Channels, 2014, Isparta, Turkey
- Cytotoxic activities of dimethylcelecoxib on colorectal cancer cells and the synergistic effects of dimethylcelecoxib with imatinib, 5th International Congress on Cell Membranes and Oxidative Stress: Focus on Calcium Signaling and TRP Channels, 2014, Isparta, Turkey
- Comparative effects of celecoxib and 2,5-dimethyl celecoxib on the proliferation of Human Colorectal adenocarcinoma Cell Lines, 6th International Iranian Congress of Laboratory and Clinic, 2014, Tehran, Iran
- Zinc and Low-dose of Cadmium Protect Sertoli Cells Against Toxic-Dose of Cadmium in: The Role of Metallothionein, 5th International Congress of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and 13th Iranian Congress of Biochemistry, 2013, Yazd, Iran
Professional Society Memberships
- European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE)
- Biochemical Society of Iran
- Iranian Society of Physiology and Pharmacology
Awards
- Mobility and Congress funding, F.R.S.-FNRS Founds de la Recherche Scientifique, 2024
- Ranked 1st among the graduating class of 2021 in the Ph.D. program, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Iran
- Ranked 1st among the graduating class of 2015 in the M.Sc. program, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Iran
- Received full scholarship for M.Sc. degree, Urmia University of Medical Sciences
- Received full scholarship for B.Sc. degree, University of Tabriz
Publications
- Oncostatin M: friend or foe in PCOS pathogenesis, Nikanfar S, Oghbaei F, Nejabati HR, Zarezadeh R, Latifi Z, Laleh SH, Khodavirdilou R, Amorim CA, Fattahi A, Journal of Endocrinology, 12/01/24
- The Revolutionary Role of Placental Derivatives in Biomedical Research, Moghassemi S, Nikanfar S, Dadashzadeh A, Sousa MJ, Wan Y, Sun F, Colson A, De Windt S, Kwaspen L, Kanbar M, Sobhani K, Yang J, Vlieghe H, Li Y, Debiève F, Wyns C, Amorim CA, Bioactive Materials, 07/01/25
- MicroRNAs as diagnostic biomarkers in diabetes male infertility: A systematic review, Latifi Z, Nikanfar S (first co-author), Khodavirdilou R, Minaei Beirami S, Khodavirdilou L, Fattahi A, Molecular Biology Reports, 12/01/25
- Metallic-based phthalocyanine nanoemulsions for photodynamic purging of ovarian tissue in leukemia patients, Moghassemi S, Dadashzadeh A, Nikanfar S, Ghaffari-Bohlouli P, de Souza PE, Shavandi A, de Azevedo RB, Amorim CA, Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces, 01/01/25
- Imatinib Synergizes with 2, 5-Dimethylcelecoxib, a Close Derivative of Celecoxib, in HT-29 Colorectal Cancer Cells: Involvement of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor, Nikanfar S, Atari-hajipirloo S, Kheradmand F, Heydari A, Journal of Research in Pharmacy, 03/01/23
- Vandetanib alters the tumoricidal capacity of human breast cancer stem cells via inhibiting vasculogenic capacity, Haiaty S, Rashidi MR, Akbarzadeh M, Bazmany A, Mostafazadeh M, Nikanfar S, Shabkhizan R, Rezaeian R, Rahbarghazi R, Nouri M, BioImpacts: BI, 05/01/23
- Is there a link between Persian medicine eating habits and the nutritional status of older adults? A cross-sectional study, Sanaie S, Kalekhane ZY, Karimi AB, Nikanfar S, Jahanjoo F, Mojahedi M, Azizi-Zeinalhajlou A, Araj-Khodaei M, Advances in Integrative Medicine, 06/01/23
- Saffron as a promising therapy for diabetes and Alzheimer's disease: mechanistic insights, Sanaie S, Nikanfar S, Kalekhane ZY, Azizi-Zeinalhajlou A, Sadigh-Eteghad S, Araj-Khodaei M, Ayati MH, Andalib S, Metabolic Brain Disease, 01/01/23
- The effects of selenium supplementation on inflammatory markers in critically ill patients, Mahmoodpoor A, Faramarzi E, Reyhanifard A, Shamekh A, Nikanfar S, Azizi-Zeinalhajlou A, Sanaie S, SN Applied Sciences, 12/01/22
- Oncostatin M and its receptor in women with polycystic ovary syndrome and association with assisted reproductive technology outcomes, Nikanfar S, Hamdi K, Haiaty S, Samadi N, Shahnazi V, Fattahi A, Nouri M, Reprod Biol, 01/01/22
Hobbies and Interests
- Painting
- Art
- Music
- Traveling
Research Interests
- Ovarian biology
- Infertility
- Ovary tissue engineering
- Oocyte maturation
- PCOS
- Signaling pathways
Languages
English
Bilingual or Proficient (C2)
Persian
Bilingual or Proficient (C2)
Turkish
Upper intermediate (B2)
French
Beginner (A1)
Software
GraphPad Prism
ImageJ / FIJI
SPSS
R studio
Generunner
CorelDraw
Zotero / EndNote / Mendeley
Timeline
Member of OvaREN Team
OvaREN (Ovarian Research Early career Network)
02.2025 - 02.2025
Postdoctoral Fellow
Pôle de Recherche en Physiopathologie de la Reproduction, Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique, Université Catholique de Louvain
04.2023 - Current
Research Assistant
Tabriz University of Medical Sciences
09.2018 - 09.2020
Medical Lab Technician
Tabriz University of Medical Sciences
06.2016 - 12.2016
Ph.D. - Clinical Biochemistry
Tabriz University of Medical Sciences
Master of Science - Clinical Biochemistry
Urmia University of Medical Sciences
B.Sc. - Biology
University of Tabriz
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